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West Moors Middle School

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Science

Science is important because it allows us to understand how the world around us works, and how we can make it a better place to meet the needs of society. It is the marrying of multiple disciplines into a simple investigative method. Science has allowed us to feed growing populations, power whole continents and save lives. By using it, we can make informed decisions about the future of our planet and how best to manage our limited resources for the benefit of everyone. 

Programme of study 

The Science programme of study is based on the UK National Curriculum. Students are helped to develop the ‘big ideas’ of science to enable them to understand the science in the world around them and to make informed decisions about the applications of science. 

Student’s learning is arranged around 5 big ideas: Physical world, Biological world, Chemical world, Macro and Micro World and the Scientific Process – Planning, obtaining results, evaluating and analysing data. Each Big Idea is taught in smaller parts so that concepts can build one another as they progress through Key Stage 3. Students learn to understand that that three science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are linked and equally important. 

YEAR 

AUTUMN 

SPRING 

SUMMER 

Year 5 

Science (2h) 

Lab Safety 

Keeping Healthy 

Earth and Space 

Light 

Materials  

Life cycles 

Year 6 

Science (2h) 

Adaptation and Evolution 

Forces 

Changes of State 

Electricity  

Classification 

Year 7 

Science (3h) 

Introduction to Key Stage 3 

Cells 

Particles 

Energy 

Acids and Alkali 

Light  

Variation 

Earth’s Resources 

Earth’s Structure 

Evolution 

Ecosystems 

Year 8 

Science (3h) 

Atoms and Elements 

Forces 

Life Support 

Compounds and Mixtures 

Electricity  

Climate  

Microbes 

Movement 

Reproduction  

Sound 

 

In the Lab 

In science students work both as part of a team and independently, to complete many practical and written tasks.  Students are guided to be able to voice their own opinions and observations, as well as listen (and refer to) to the opinions and observations of others.  Students develop their ability to apply scientific method to their work so that they can predict, test, record, conclude and evaluate their scientific investigations. 

Assessment 

Students are assessed in a variety of ways – their books and written work, orally by question and answer sessions in lessons, through quick quizzes and tests at the end of every unit so their understanding of key concepts can be monitored. 

Homework 

Homework may comprise written tasks, research work, projects or other tasks depending on the topic. All children within West Moors Middle School will have access to Tassomai, which enables children to complete short quizzes on the topics they cover in each Key Stage.  

Useful Link 

Tassomai – https://www.tassomai.com/ 

Key Stage 2 BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q 

Key Stage 3 BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zng4d2p